The No. 1 ranked Ashland University women’s basketball team overcame a slow start as they pulled away in the second half and beat the Michigan Tech Huskies 81-59, for the second time this season.

The first quarter was a battle for both teams, as the Huskies stormed out to an early 6-1 lead. AU responded in the early minutes as Kelsey Peare and Julie Worley dropped in four points each and put the Eagles on top 9-8.

Lindsay Winter knocked down a three to tie the game at 11 with 2:27 to go in the opening period.

Andi Daugherty quickly answered on the next possession with a three of her own to make it 14-11. AU closed out the quarter on top by just two points as they led, 14-12.

The Eagles opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run as they extended their lead to 21-12. Michigan Tech never was able to recover in the quarter and the Eagles went into the break with a 37-28 lead after Peare hit a shot to end the half.

The second half opened with a back and forth style of play as the Huskies were able to trim the lead to 43-37 with five minutes to play in the quarter. This was the moment that the Eagles took over going on a 10-0 run and never looking back.

A 28-point fourth quarter propelled the Eagles to the 22-point win.

Peare led the way for AU with 17 points on 7-8 shooting and 3-3 from behind the arc.

Laina Snyder played well in her first game back after missing three straight as she scored 14 points and hauled in seven rebounds. Snyder was named the GLIAC Player of the year for the first time in her career.

Jodi Johnson, who was name the GLIAC freshman of the year had nine points, nine steals, six assists, and four rebounds in a very balanced game.

Robyn Fralick improved her team to 30-0 on the season and has given her team a spot in the GLIAC championship game for the second year in a row.

Fralick was named the GLIAC coach of the year as AU became the first GLIAC school in history to claim all three awards in the same season.

AU will now await Grand Valley State in the championship game in a rematch of last years final.

GVSU and AU met one time this season, with the Eagles coming out on top, 75-61.

Tipoff is set for 3 pm on Sunday afternoon as a champion will be crowned inside Kate’s Gymnasium.